106-year old transgender woman speaks at IDAHO celebration in Burma

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/

Burma publicly celebrates gay rights for the first time for yesterday's International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

The 106-year-old transgender woman who addressed the first ever public gay rights rally in Burma must have seen incredible changes in her lifetime, from living under British colonialism to Burmese independence to military rule to the recent opening up.

At the first celebration of IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) in the Burmese capital Rangoon yesterday, a local youth brought the centenarian transgender woman to the stage during a section called Paying Respect to Seniors.

‘She was almost in tears,’ one of the organisers of the event, Aung Myo Min, told Gay Star News. ‘She told the audience how pleased she is to see this event take place in Rangoon.’

Aung Myo Min, from Human Rights Education Institute Burma, said the event in Rangoon was a resounding success. ‘It was very exciting and colourful,’ he said. ‘Youth wearing colorful outfits mingled with older men and women in traditional Burmese dress. Everyone was looking around, eager and excited for the first day of LGBT rights in Burma.’

The programme started with a speech by a well-known Burmese make-up artist. Ko Mar. He said that as a gay man in Burma he has struggled for acceptance. He encouraged young LGBT people to maintain a strong sense of self-worth and to fight for equality.

Then author Atta Kyaw spoke about homophobia in Burmese society. He said the media presents stereotypes of LGBT people which reinforces dangerous misconceptions. In movies for example, he said, gay men are comic characters rather than multi-dimensional.

The events in Rangoon and other cities in Burma went smoothly without any interruption from the authorities.

Aung Myo Min, who has organised IDAHO events for Burmese nationals in Thailand for the last three years, said:

‘I am very happy to see this happen. I feel like the rainbow flag in Burma ties the event to others happening around the world. This event is a historic event that establishes the voice of the Burmese LGBT movement as one that will not be silenced.’

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Abraço contra a homofobia e transfobia

in: http://www.dn.pt

A rede "ex aequo - associação de jovens lésbicas, gays, bissexuais, transgéneros e simpatizantes" realiza quinta-feira uma ação de sensibilização pública, em que vários voluntários irão distribuir abraços, brindes e panfletos informativos contra a homofobia e transfobia. 

O evento já se realizou em anos anteriores e tem como principal objectivo combater a intolerância contra as diferenças sexuais. A ação decorrerá entre as 17.30 e as 18.30, junto à Estação Multimodal da Gare do Oriente.

A rede ex aequo tem como principal missão trabalhar no apoio à juventude lésbica, gay, bissexual ou transgénera e na informação social relativamente às questões da orientação sexual e identidade de género.

A associação pretende ainda que estejam presentes duas figuras públicas para participar no evento, juntamente com os jovens voluntários da rede ex aequo. Mas, para já, não avança qualquer nome.

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International Day Against Homophobia events announced

http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/

The Intentional Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) has announced more events to take place on or around May17.

Fighting so-called 'reparative' therapies, aiming at "curing" sexual and gender diversity, is emerging as a theme.

A coalition of groups from Latin America and the Caribbean has launched a campaign called "Cures that kill". First signatories include the Brazilian Federal Council of Psychology, Mariela Castro and the Mayor of Lima.

• Read the full appeal and sign the petition

In Peru a week long programme in Lima includes a national seminar on 'reparative' therapies.

In Italy, Catholics will hold a Vigil of Prayer for the victims of homophobia.

The Latin Americans are seeking support from the international community and the wider public.

The IDAHO Committee has an online "As I Am" campaign which aims to "celebrate our individualities and to honor the collective spirit that binds us all, connecting us to universal, inalienable and interconnected human rights that all people share". It has invited submissions of creative videos, artwork, or written statements "about respecting a person for ALL of who they are".

May 17, the 20 national editions of the free daily METRO, read by 17 million people, will be edited by Lady Gaga. There is a contest for Gaga assistants.

Turkish LGBT group KAOS GL will launch a regional network against homophobia, as part of the sixth international IDAHO conference in Ankara. They said:

"The Conference for Middle East and Balkan Countries’ Homosexuals was a dream when we declared our foundation 16 years ago and shaped our liberation perspective. Liberation and survival struggles of LGBT in our region has always been a constant consideration for Kaos GL, one of the first LGBT organisations in Turkey. The reflections of all ethnic, religious and cultural diversity seen in the Middle Eastern, Caucasus and Balkan countries exist in Turkey’s society. Kaos GL has strived for this diversity to represent and express itself in the LGBT movement since its foundation."

"Homophobia is institutionalised in civil society and the public area by blending racism and nationalism in the countries of this region, including Turkey. Institutionalised homophobia integrates into historical animosities between the countries of our region and increases existing alienation between peoples. It is the LGBT organisations and the regional network between these organisations that will have to resist homophobic and sexist reflections of racist and nationalist policies in our region."

In Rwanda, LGBT organisation HOCA will hold a large-scale media conference to increase awareness of the situation of sexual and gender minorities in the country.

The international photo project 'Walk with Pride' that documents gay pride parades around the globe will be shown simultaneously in more than 20 locations around the world, including at the European Parliament, and on the IDAHO Committee's website.

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission will release 'Courage Unfolds', a film highlighting the issues faced by LGBT people in Asia and encouraging the use of the Yogyakarta Principles as a tool to promote LGBT human rights, May 17.

The Courage Unfolds Campaign calls for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to be protected by law, respected by society, and accepted by family.

• Watch the trailer

In Russia, the second "Rainbow Flashmob" will happen, with Hamburg joining in again this year with other cities expected to follow suit.

In Israel, the IDAHO team will announce the winner of the 'academic papers regarding homophobia' contest, which has the support of Shimon Peres. In the city of Nethanya, 120 school counselors will participate in a seminar adressing homo/transphobic bullying in schools.

In Australia, a 'heroes in our communities' event will launch a year-long campaign calling upon government bodies to sign and ratify the joint statement of the 2011 Asia Pacific Outgames Human Rights Conference.

In Chile, a march will close a one-day program about public campaigning and political advocacy.

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